[*] 457. Many verbs take either a Subjunctive Clause or a Complementary Infinitive, without difference of meaning. Such are verbs signifying willingness, necessity, propriety, resolve, command, prohibition, effort, and the like (cf. § 563):—
- “ dēcernere optābat ” (Q. C. 3.11.1) , he was eager to decide.
- “optāvit ut tollerētur ” (Off. 3.94) , he was eager to be taken up.
- “ oppūgnāre contendit ” (B. G. 5.21) , he strove to take by storm.
- contendit ut caperet (id. 5.8), he strove to take.
- bellum gerere cōnstituit (id. 4.6), he decided to carry on war.
- “cōnstitueram ut manērem ” (Att. 16.10.1) , I had decided to remain.
[*] Note 1.--For the infinitive with subject accusative used with some of these verbs instead of a complementary infinitive, see § 563.
[*] Note 2.--Some verbs of these classes never take the subjunctive, but are identical in meaning with others which do:—
- “eōs quōs tūtārī dēbent dēserunt ” (Off. 1.28) , they forsake those whom they ought to protect.
- “aveō pūgnāre ” (Att. 2.18.3) , I'm anxious to fight.
- “furit tē reperīre ” (Hor. Od. 1.15.27) , he rages to find thee. [A forcible way of saying cupit (§§ 457, 563. b).]
- “saevit exstinguere nōmen ” (Ov. M. 1.200) , he rages to blot out the name.
- “fuge quaerere ” (Hor. Od. 1.9.13) , forbear to ask (cf. § 450. N. 1).
- “parce piās scelerāre manūs ” (Aen. 3.42) , forbear to defile your pious hands.